Florence

Florence Nightingale is often referred to as the mother of modern nursing. She was an innovator, a problem-solver, and a realist. She saw what needed to be done, and set about doing it. When she was done, she had taught an entirely new way to provide nursing care to patients. Her focus was on the basics, cleanliness, good nutrition, and discipline.

What most people don't know about Florence is that she was disabled by a chronic illness. She returned from the Crimean Wars devastated by typhoid fever. She never recovered. In fact, she spent the rest of her life almost entirely in her home in Britain. She changed the world from her bed and drawing room.

It is a lesson we can take to heart. Florence was priviledged and wealthy, able to rely upon family, friends, and servants to assist her through her illness. But in comparison, she has so much less than we do today. Without the benefit of the internet, phone service, or the television, she was able to develop and communicate an entirely new method for patient care. What changes can we bring to the world, strengthened by our connections and social media as a tool to share great ideas? Think of the Florence, living with illness, and her accomplishments, and know that greatness is not in the body, it is in the mind.

The Tail-Wag of Eternal Optimism

My service dog Lyla has taught me lesson in the past two months. As I have struggled with physical obstacles and sadness over loss of function so fiercely fought for, I have tried to remember that there is always hope. When Lyla lays beside me day and night, there even when I am at my worse, she always seems to hold out hope that today will be the day we will go out again. She hopes that maybe, just maybe, I will feel well enough to throw her frisbee or toss her ball. She never, ever gives up hope. On dark days of total orthostatic intolerance, she gives me a look with her big brown eyes and a tiny wag of her tail. I call it the tail-wag of eternal optimism. And isn't that exactly what dogs are? The eternally optimistic? They know you will drop food eventually, want to go for walkies one day, and give in to the urge to play with slobbery toys at some point. It is a lesson to live by, that there is always some reason to hope, some reason to be happy, and some reason to wag your tail.